ofcmark Posted March 14, 2005 Posted March 14, 2005 Dose anyone know if they make Gator blades for a 60inch deck. I have been looking on the net and cant find them. I would like to get a some for my Sunstar thanks Mark
johnmonkey Posted March 14, 2005 Posted March 14, 2005 Try Jacks small engine. They are a sponser to this site, look on the home page for the sponsers. Good luck and welcome to the site. JH
Dutch Posted March 14, 2005 Posted March 14, 2005 Here's a link to every Gator Blade that Oregon makes > http://www.oregonchain.com/OEP/oep_blades.htm
dratkinson Posted March 14, 2005 Posted March 14, 2005 If you don't find a blade specifically listed for your deck, look in the front of the Oregon book---there is a table that lists blades by length, rotation, hole diameter, part number, and page number. Find the stock number and page that matches your blade length and rotation (and hole diameter if possible). Go to the page and find the part number. After you find the part number, see if there is a Gator blade listed as a replacement for that part (the table does not list Gator blades separately). After doing this you may find that you are buying a Gator blade that was comissioned for a John Deere application. If you find the correct length and rotation, but the hole is too small, you can always grind it larger; too large, you can always bush it smaller. I was told when I called about Gator blades that they are harder than OEM blades. The Magnum (I think that was the term) Gator blade is 1/4" thick, the standard Gator blade is slightly thinner. I seem to remember seeing a picture in the Oregon book of the blade dimensions that pointed this out. David
Brent_Baumer Posted March 14, 2005 Posted March 14, 2005 I know this has been discussed many times before but thought I would add my 2 cents on Gator Blades. I put a set on a 48" deck last summer that I run on my 716H. These were from Oregon. Blades were a little thicker than factory. I mowed with them for the remainder of the season. I was very impressed. One of the two gripes I have about the Simplicity 48" decks is the annoying lack of even cut due to the front tires smashing the grass down and the 48" decks not having enough suction to pull it back up and cut level. I have had this problem with 4 different 48" decks on 4 different tractors and have heard others complain of this very problem on here. The gator blades eliminated this problem. The cut looks as good as on the 42" decks from the FDT's now. A few weeks ago I removed the gators to sharpen and found they didn't seem to wear as much as the factory blades either. This could be fiction and is unscientific, but just didn't seem as dull as I am used to seeing. Brent
orangeone Posted March 14, 2005 Posted March 14, 2005 I have used Gater blades now for three years on the 42" and 48" decks. I LOVE them. I cut all kinds of grass and they do a GREAT job!!
roma3112 Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 the gators that i have on my 48 deck work erally well. I notice that the clippings disappear much faster than before, probably becaue they are cut up more. the only semi-negative thing I can say is that i notice that the deck is more noisy, not a mechanical noisy but a "wind" type noise probably due to the blade's design. good luck with yours I am sure you won't be disappointed.
UCD Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 This is what Gator blades will do. Before After It was all done with this and Gator blades This was all that was left
Roy Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 How is the "blow-back" with Gator blades compared to standard blades? Thanks,
MPH Posted March 16, 2005 Posted March 16, 2005 Has anybody put gator blades on a 42 inch deck? Think mine came off the parts Big 10 I got with the B-112. I also got a real rough 48 in deck with the deal which I'm guessin was for the 112. Shop in Fairbanks couldn't find gators to match the blades I had him sharpen off the 42 inch deck. Deck came decal free.
RayS Posted March 16, 2005 Posted March 16, 2005 Brent, you are correct about how long they stay sharp. I put a set on my tractor in July last year, I removed them in October to sharpen but they didn`t need it. They must be made out of a harder steel and even seem quiter than OEM blades.
ofcmark Posted March 16, 2005 Author Posted March 16, 2005 I used dutch's link and called Oregon and they told me that they dont made gator blades for the 60 inch deck I just thought I pass it along thanks for everyones replies Mark
KVANDY12 Posted March 16, 2005 Posted March 16, 2005 I have them on a 42" and a 48". use the 48" to cut about 1 1/2acre of grass all last summer and vac up leaves in the fall. About a week ago I looked at them to sharpen them but didn't need it. They are tuff. With OME blade I would sharpen at least 3 time a summer.
cgreaves Posted March 16, 2005 Posted March 16, 2005 You guys sold me, just ordered a set from Jacks. Looking forward to green grass again, and striping for the first time! Thanks.
dratkinson Posted March 17, 2005 Posted March 17, 2005 What is the dimension of a single blade on a 60" deck: length, hole width? Which direction do the blades rotate (CW, CCW)? David
ofcmark Posted March 17, 2005 Author Posted March 17, 2005 David The guy I spoke with said that becouse the One blade turns left and the others right he could not match up a blade for another tractor for me to use.
RayS Posted March 17, 2005 Posted March 17, 2005 quote:Originally posted by ofcmark David The guy I spoke with said that becouse the One blade turns left and the others right he could not match up a blade for another tractor for me to use. One turns left and the othe right. Are you sure, I never heard of such a thing. I have a new set on ebay now http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29520&item=4364970896&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW but they are not the size you need.
ofcmark Posted March 17, 2005 Author Posted March 17, 2005 RayS It did not sound right to me either but i am knew to tractors and I was just repeating what he told me
Ronald Hribar Posted March 17, 2005 Posted March 17, 2005 Maybe he said some decks turn right and some decks turn left
MN_FISH Posted March 17, 2005 Posted March 17, 2005 If they were looking at the 2004 Legacy XL 2 blades turn one direction & the discharge blade turns in the opposite direction! They say it is to mulch the grass better? but when you get in tall or wet grass it sounds like an old silage blower and it shoots out clumpsB). As of last fall Oregon didn't make Gator Blades for it. They do make^ Gator blades for the 60" deck on the 9020 & 720. They work great and are a tough blade:D.
dratkinson Posted March 17, 2005 Posted March 17, 2005 Problem: Mark wants gator blades for a 60-inch Sunstar deck. quote:Dose anyone know if they make Gator blades for a 60inch deck. I have been looking on the net and cant find them. I would like to get a some for my Sunstar thanks Mark According to the 2004 Oregon book, these are the dimensions of Mark's blades: The required blade for Mark's deck is: Blade length: 20 1/2 inches (measured diagonally) Center hole: 1 inch Blade width: 2.50 inches Blade thickness: .203 inches My suggestion to Mark was that he find a Gator blade that is a close second choice. To quote me, and who better to do it: :) quote:If you don't find a blade specifically listed for your deck, look in the front of the Oregon book---there is a table that lists blades by length, rotation, hole diameter, part number, and page number. Find the stock number and page that matches your blade length and rotation (and hole diameter if possible). Go to the page and find the part number. After you find the part number, see if there is a Gator blade listed as a replacement for that part (the table does not list Gator blades separately). After doing this you may find that you are buying a Gator blade that was comissioned for a John Deere application. If you find the correct length and rotation, but the hole is too small, you can always grind it larger; too large, you can always bush it smaller. I was told when I called about Gator blades that they are harder than OEM blades. The Magnum (I think that was the term) Gator blade is 1/4" thick, the standard Gator blade is slightly thinner. I seem to remember seeing a picture in the Oregon book of the blade dimensions that pointed this out. David Search for a second choice option. So as an academic exercise (I don't need this blade size), I searched the Oregon website for a substitute blade for Mark. No luck, the blades there are not listed by length. I downloaded the 2004 Oregon blade catalog. No luck, the "index by length" is not included. So I went to a local small engine shop and looked through their Oregon book. The "index by length" is on pages 86-90 (?); but check the table of contents...the index is listed there. [added] Dutch's link for the "index by length" is for 2005 and disagrees with the 2004 index. Dutch's index: [added] The 2005 index shows that only the 90-973 blade is LH rotation. The 2004 book I consulted showed both were LH rotation. Possible problem solution: I looked through the 2004 Oregon book for all listings for left-handed blades, 20-21 inches. I found one that might work for Mark (90-973) The Woods blade is: Blade length: 20 3/16 inches (measured diagonally) Center hole: 5/8 inch Blade width: 2.50 inches Blade thickness: .203 inches Option analysis. Blade length. The Woods blade is 5/16 inch shorter (measured diagonally) than the required blade. Is (less than) 5/32 inch shorter on each end too short? Of course you could no longer call it a 60 inch deck...using this option it becomes a 59 11/16 inch deck. :) Center hole. The center hole will need to be ground larger---hardened blade, tough to drill. Harbor Freight sells some cheap diamond point bits for a dremel tool that will do the job---just takes patience. But if Mark's blade is not attached with a 1 inch bolt---if it uses instead a smalled diameter bolt and shim/compression washer combination to attach the blade---, then the 5/8 inch hole might be large enough. Would just need to change and use the correct size shim/compression washer. Blade length/thickness. Equal to required blade. Conclusion. I believe the 90-973 blade could be made to work in a LH rotation 60-inch Sunstar deck. I believe the 90-986 blade could be made to work in a RH rotation 60-inch Sunstar deck. Back to my original question: So even though there is no Gator blade made specifically for a Sunstar 60-inch deck, why can we not choose to use a blade that is close in size to the required blade---a close second choice? Why could the Woods blade not be made to work for Mark's deck? /r David [added] P.S. I used Dutch's link to the 2005 "index by length" to illustrate my original search in the 2004 book and support my original post. I did not use it to see if there was a newer blade listed that might be a closer fit and therefore work better in Mark's deck. But the method for finding such a blade, if it exists, "...should be intuitively obvious to the casual observer and is left as an exercise for the student". I always wanted to say that...certainly heard it enough from my high school math teachers! :D [added] P.P.S. Resource used to develop this second-best Gator blade option. From dutch, previously posted in this topic: quote:Here's a link to every Gator Blade that Oregon makes > http://www.oregonchain.com/OEP/oep_blades.htm On the Oregon page you will find these files for part B of the 2005 Oregon book. Blades - by length; UNIVERSAL and OEM Replacement Blade Guide, Section 1: Allens Power -- Excel; Pgs 94 - 130 http://www.oregonchain.com/OEP/pdfs/BladesSect1.pdf OEM Replacement Blade Guide, Section 2: Excel continued -- Murray; Pgs 131 - 170 http://www.oregonchain.com/OEP/pdfs/BladesSect2.pdf OEM Replacement Blade Guide, Section 3: Murray continued -- Yazoo; Pgs 171 - 201 http://www.oregonchain.com/OEP/pdfs/BladesSect3.pdf
comet66 Posted March 17, 2005 Posted March 17, 2005 The Sunstar, Ultima, Legacy, 60" decks all have the same odd blade.
RayS Posted March 18, 2005 Posted March 18, 2005 Is this deck left or right hand discharge? I have a book from my distributor that has alot of gator blades that are 20 1/2" with a center hole of 45/64". Let me know if it is a left or right hand discharge and I will see what I can get.
Dutch Posted March 18, 2005 Posted March 18, 2005 Here are the Gator Blade by length pages. http://www.oregonchain.com/OEP/pdfs/BladesSect1.pdf
ofcmark Posted March 18, 2005 Author Posted March 18, 2005 RayS My deck discharges of the left hand side
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